Bard

A bard was originally a poet and musician of a lower order than a fili found in areas with a Celtic tradition. After the Normans invaded Ireland the higher ranked fili lost their patronage and were found less often.

The word bard carries a negative conotation, and 17th century Scottish and Irish poets would not use that term to describe themselves. After the disappearance of the bard in Ireland the status of bard improved as it continued in Scotland until it died out in the 18th century. By this time it came to have a positive meaning.

The Bard

A term used to refer to the playwright William Shakespeare.

Bards in the SCA

This term is used to describe someone sings, tells, recites and/or writes songs, stories or verse.